Looking for free online courses? Searching for online education courses? Yes its true. You can study online for free. What is online education? E-learning or online education is the use of electronic media and information and communication technologies in education. E-learning is broadly inclusive of all forms of educational technology in learning and teaching. Online education is inclusive of, and is broadly synonymous with multimedia learning, technology-enhanced learning, computer-based instruction, computer managed instruction, computer-based training, computer-assisted instruction or computer-aided instruction, internet-based training, web-based training, virtual education, virtual learning environments and digital educational collaboration. These alternative names emphasize a particular aspect, component or delivery method. Online education includes numerous types of media that deliver text, audio, images, animation, and streaming video, and includes technology applications and processes such as audio, video tape, satellite TV, CD-ROM, and computer-based learning, as well as web-based learning. Online education can occur in or out of the classroom. It can be self-paced, asynchronous learning or may be instructor-led, synchronous learning. However, online education is suited to distance learning and flexible learning, but it can also be used in conjunction with face-to-face teaching, in which case the term blended learning is commonly used.
The worldwide e-learning industry is economically significant. Developments in internet and multimedia technologies are the basic enabler of e-learning, with consulting, content, technologies, services and support being identified as the five key sectors of the e-learning industry. Information and communication technologies are used extensively by mostly young people. And the extent to which e-learning assists or replaces other learning and teaching approaches is variable, ranging on a continuum from none to fully online distance learning. A variety of descriptive terms have been employed to categorize the extent to which technology is used. If you are looking to get a diploma but was too busy or cannot afford the high tuition fees, engage your self in a free online courses offered by some highly rated universities and collages. Just follow the terms and conditions specified on the free stuff websites and find out how to apply. Its never too late to go back to school.